I feel like the new cafe/cake shop on my street doesn't realize that we are in the process of swift gentrification. The potential customers around here are not likely to a) be unemployed and able to come in between the hours of 10am and 5pm on weekdays, when they're open; b) purchase basic, bland sweet offerings without visible care taken to create an appetizing appearance; c) enjoy passing the blase, unsmiling salesperson,  standing smoking in the doorway. I so wanted a cafe on my street, and now that it's here I don't think I'll ever go! Good luck, little cake shop!

I find it really hard to objectively assess how much of my reaction to a student's rude message is me power tripping versus me responding as a human who thinks there are social norms and rules to be followed. Like, for instance, You shouldn't just announce to me that You will come to a different section of my seminar. I think this should be phrased as a question. There is actually no problem with coming to a different section of the same course. We have enough chairs. It's not a logistical issue, and of course I'm going to acquiesce, if asked. So why do I want to be asked? Because I want my power to be acknowledged? That seems like a stupid reason.

Anyway, because this chick has already missed more classes than is allowed, I have to figure out an extra assignment for her. I'm going to make it a goddamn effortful one.

A couple of things happened today:

1. I met my next-door neighbour. Apparently we have been neighbours since 1994 but she has been renting the place out, and of course I haven't been here nonstop. I mentioned that I was interested in buying if she was ever interested in selling.
2. In class two students claimed to have read an article about how the sons of single mothers are more likely to be homosexual. I dunno, I try to keep up on the science in these matters, and I have never heard of such a study. Maybe it exists. Luckily I was not alone in my skepticism and one of the other students pointed out that sons of single mothers might just be more likely to admit it. But if anyone knows of such a study, let me know, aight?
3. Also, my triathlon trainer said something appalling when we were doing our post-run stretches about breathing in and lifting our arms like a [derogatory term for male dancer]. I'm about to compose a friendly but clear email to him about how inappropriate that was. He's a clueless small-town youngster.

Dziś w Warszawie Manifa, więc są zmiany w komunikacji miejskiej.

...wtedy można co?

I googled myself today and discovered an online conversation my students had back in 2006 about what my political beliefs might be, and how they are reflected in the fact that I carry my backpack on my front, rather than my back. (This observation itself quite stirred their imaginations.)

Mark this emphatically in the "Things I did not expect" column:

Walk into a party, say hello to the host, hand her a bottle of gin, take off my coat, meet an older woman who exclaims "So are You, or are You not going to be my daughter-in-law?!"

...then regales me with exceedingly personal details concerning my would-be long-term relationship partner's (lack of) romantic experiences.

Today has so far been an altogether lovely day. I can only hope it continues in this vein. I woke up underslept but got together my stuff to take to Sadyba, where I helped decorate the tree. K then suggested we take the dogs for a walk, so I went to Jazdów to pick up Sawa, and B & Z recounted the story of how we broke a tree ornament yesterday. Supercute. Took the dogs for a drizzly walk, went to Empik for last-minute new-idea shopping, and as I was parking a fellow asked me for spare change. Upon reception, he first kissed my hand, and then, what the heck, went in for a hug. While this prolonged hug was taking place he whispered, "An embrace from a woman is a thing of wonder." Then, as I smiled my way into the still-open (whew!) Empik, my friend R from university noticed me and we spent an hour having coffee while he told me about finding God. And how talking to people who haven't found God just is NOT. THE. SAME. Hee hee hee!

So now I'm going to get dressed and take this joyous mood to the family gathering at Sadyba, where I hope some of You meet me, or skype us to share the moment.

Wesołych Świąt!